The country of France just launched its "StopCovid" contact tracing app and, in a compatibility list for that app, Google's Pixel 4a made a quick cameo.

It’s been a whirlwind following Google’s Pixel 4a, with the device having numerous leaks, and apparently, a heavily delayed release date. Now, the launch of a contact-tracing app in France has once again leaked the Pixel 4a, this time showing it in the compatibility list of the StopCovid app.
The folks over at Frandroid found an official “non-exhaustive” compatibility list for the StopCovid app, a contact tracing tool for users in France that launched today on the Play Store. Notably, that app does not use Google’s API for contact tracing.
That aside, the list shows smartphones that are “validated to work with the StopCovid France application.” On that list, there are devices from several Android OEMs including the likes of Huawei, Xiaomi, and more.
One device, though, lacks a brand name or manufacturer. Instead, it simply mentions a codename we’re familiar with Sunfish.
The sunfish codename has been appearing for months at this point, and we know for certain it is, indeed, the Google Pixel 4a. With that in mind, it means someone involved with the “StopCovid” app tried it on a Google Pixel 4a while the device still hasn’t been released to the public. Ironically, the reason the phone still hasn’t been released is due, at least in part, to the ongoing pandemic and its wide-reaching effects.
Currently, the Pixel 4a is expected to release in July.
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With the release of Android 11's first beta, it's been revealed that app suggestions are coming to the Pixel Launcher's dock.

Android 11’s first beta release was supposed to land this week, but it ended up getting delayed until further notice. Now, an early build has leaked, and some of the new features are being detailed, including a new option for the Pixel Launcher that puts app suggestions in your dock.
A leaked build of the first Android 11 Beta release is being picked apart on Twitter, and one of the new features included is something we actually spotted a while back. In Android 11’s very first developer preview, we found evidence Google was working on a “Smart Hotseat” for the Pixel Launcher. Now, it appears that functionality is about to go live.
The Pixel Launcher on Android 11 Beta 1 adds “app suggestions” for the dock of the Pixel Launcher. Google has previously offered these suggestions on the top row of the app drawer, but now that functionality appears to be extending directly to the main homescreen.
Mishaal Rahman say that this feature “supplements” the dock by filling in any missing gaps with a suggestion directly from Google. In my own case, this might mean removing the camera icon to leave a gap which, in turn, would be filled in with whatever Google thinks I may want to use. Given how good Google usually is at guessing what apps I want to use, this sounds really good! It looks like there’s even an option to block apps you don’t want to appear.
We’re not sure just yet when Google plans to roll out Android 11 Beta 1, but we’ll be further digging into these app suggestions on the Pixel Launcher further at that point, as well as whatever else we end up finding. Stay tuned!
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Following the inaugural update last December and sequel in March, Google today is releasing the third Pixel Feature Drop with the June security patch...

Following the inaugural update last December and sequel in March, Google today is releasing the third Pixel Feature Drop alongside the June security patch. This Android 10 update delivers several new features to the Personal Safety and Recorder app, as well as underlying services like Adaptive Battery.
Pixel devices are the first to get new Google Clock features focused on helping you sleep. There is a new dedicated “Bedtime” tab where you can be prompted by an alert and calming sounds to start winding down at night. There is a “Recent bedtime activity feature leveraging Digital Wellbeing that also estimates time spent in bed using sensors on your phone.
Lastly, the Pixel Stand’s Sunrise Alarms are now integrated into the Google Clock app. Functionality is unchanged with phones not required to be changing to use.
A new “safety check” capability will automatically send an alert and real-time location to select contacts if you have not confirmed that you’re okay after a set time.
For example if youre about to go on a run or hike alone, safety check will make sure you made it back safely.
You can specify activity and duration, as well as the people you want your phone to automatically notify. This can be disabled at any time, while the fullscreen confirmation also lets you contact 911 directly.
Meanwhile, the Personal Safety app is now available on all Pixel devices, while car crash detection is coming to the Pixel 3. Similar to Google Search’s SOS Alerts, you can also be notified about natural disasters and other public emergencies through “crisis alerts” that provide more details in the app.
Adaptive Battery on the Pixel 2 and later can now “predict when your battery will run out and further reduce background activity” to prolong usage. It builds on reducing the power consumption of your rarely used applications.
The Recorder app is now integrated with the new Google Assistant. This allows for commands like:

Hey Google, start recording my meeting

Hey Google, show me recordings about dogs

There is also the ability to save transcripts directly to Google Docs instead of just uploading the .txt file.
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T-Mobile has announced a partnership with Google to roll out RCS messaging to all Android users on the T-Mobile and Metro networks.

Google’s initiative to bring RCS to every Android user has been a slow process, but it’s expanded quite a lot, even just in the past few months. Today, T-Mobile has announced a partnership with Google to bring RCS to every Android user on T-Mobile and Metro.
In a press release, T-Mobile explains that it was the first to bring RCS messaging to the US, but that was in a very limited rollout. In the time since, RCS has become more prevalent, thanks in large part to Google’s efforts through the Messages app. With that app, Google rolled out RCS to any Android user who wanted it last year.
Now, T-Mobile is working to expand RCS to all of its Android users with a standard that works across carriers and apps. The Universal Profile is the standard Google has been pushing for Android users for the past few years now, and T-Mobile has noted that expertise to roll out compatibility to its entire network.
T-Mobile says that users on its network won’t have to download another app to get RCS. Instead, they’ll be built into the network and the messaging app on the device. Currently, there are apparently 40 devices that work with RCS on T-Mobile and Metro under this new partnership, but T-Mobile “aims” to further expand that.
T-Mobile has become the first in the world to implement a full standards-based RCS Universal Profile 1.0 interconnect with Googles Messages service. Thats a fancy way of saying that T-Mobile Android customers with capable smartphones get RCS with Android users on other networks, too.
Capable Android customers on T-Mobiles network wont have to do anything or download an over-the-top app to get RCS features theyre built right into T-Mobiles network and natively into the phones messaging app. Today, nearly 40 T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile smartphone models are ready to share RCS messages with Android users on other networks and T-Mobile is aiming to bring this capability to all RCS-enabled smartphones.
It sounds like T-Mobile is planning to pre-load Google Messages on more devices, but we can’t be certain of that. Still, I’d imagine that’s part of the solution here since some devices sold on T-Mobile such as the OnePlus 8 don’t have messaging apps that support RCS. We asked T-Mobile for clarification on this and we were told the “native messaging app” will support RCS. It’s still unclear if Google Messages will be further distributed on T-Mobile devices.
We’re also curious what this means for the CCMI, an initiative from carriers including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, which was supposed to be delivering RCS to Android users this year. We’re asking for clarification on that point.
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Realme has launched its first self-branded televisions today, both using Google's Android TV under the hood on 32-inch and 43-inch models.

Google’s Android TV has become fairly popular among Indian TV offerings from the likes of Xiaomi to OnePlus. Now, Realme has debuted its self-branded smart TVs using Google’s Android TV with an overall solid offering.
The Realme Smart TV lineup consists of just two models, one with a 32-inch HD panel and another with a 43-inch FHD (1080p) panel. Realme is using Android TV on both models that delivers support for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and other apps from the Google Play Store, too. Realme also highlights the “Chroma Boost Picture Engine” that apparently lets the screen hit 400 nits of brightness. The panel also has quad speakers built in with 24W of power and Dolby Audio. Realme also launched a soundbar to go along with that.
Under the hood, though, specs aren’t especially impressive. There’s a quad-core MediaTek processor that ought to be fine, but it’s paired with just 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. That’s not exactly ideal for the platform.
Still, the pricing here is pretty good. The 32-inch model costs just Rs. 12,999. Directly converted, that’s just over $170 USD. The 43-inch model goes up to Rs. 21,999, or about $290 USD. Sales start online on June 2 from Realme’s own website and Flipkart, too.
Experience #RealPicture#RealSound with #realmeSmartTV.Bezel-Less LED Display24W Dolby Audio SystemCertified Android TVMediaTek Quad-core Processor
Available in:32", 12,99943", 21,999
First sale at 12 PM, 2nd June on https://t.co/HrgDJTHBFX & @Flipkart. pic.twitter.com/vsxTEghR5x
— realme (@realmemobiles) May 25, 2020
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Last September, Google briefly described an upcoming Assistant feature that would help reduce unintentional hotword activations. Hey Google sensitivity...

Last September, Google briefly described an upcoming Assistant feature that would help reduce unintentional hotword activations. Introduced as a privacy measure, you can tune how sensitive Smart Displays and speakers will be to “Hey Google,” with the feature now rolling out.
Original 4/21: According to The Verge, the “Hey Google” sensitivity setting is starting to roll out gradually. It will let you “raise or lower this devices sensitivity to make it more or less responsive to” the hotword.
Sometimes, Google Assistant might activate when you didnt say Hey Google or Ok Google. This can happen when it detects something that sounds similar. If this happens often, you can make it less sensitive.
Also, Google Assistant might not activate when you say Hey Google or Ok Google, particularly in a noisy environment. If this happens often, you can make it more sensitive.
We first enabled the new setting directly within the Google app’s Assistant preferences this February. XDA today also showed it available from Device settings under the “More” menu in version 2.21 of the Google Home client.
On the new settings page, you’re presented with a simple slider with three increments. To the left of “Default” is “Least sensitive” and to the right is “Most sensitive.” The latter option is useful in noisy environments, while those living in smaller areas will benefit from the former to make sure only the device closest to you picks up.
The device you’re controlling is shown above, along with the room it resides in. This page notes how “your device’s sensitivity may change over time as Google makes updates to improve quality,” while only the primary account can make setting changes in the case of shared devices.
Update 4/23: More details have emerged about Hey Google sensitivity today. For starters, it will be available in the “coming weeks” for Smart Displays and speakers set to English. To access:

Open the Google Home app .

At the bottom, tap Home .

Select your speaker or Smart Display.

At the top right, tap Device settings Hey Google sensitivity.

Choose how sensitive you want Google Assistant to be when it responds to you.

To change this setting on another device, tap Adjust more devices.

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